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Osburn Family Papers

 Collection
Identifier: NEAD 010

Scope and Content Note

The Osburn Family Papers contains information on both the Osburn and Ozbirn families. In 1918, the census bureau misspelled Osburn on their collection form. Lela's grandfather was illiterate and unable to give the proper spelling, leading to two official spellings of the same family name.

Dates

  • Creation: 1859-1990

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

This manuscript collection consists of physical materials. This collection has not been digitized. This collection is open for research use only in the Reading Room. It is not available for request through Interlibrary Loan. Please contact the archive via email (archives@astate.edu) at least a week in advance of your arrival to ensure the availability of the material.

Biographical Note

Della Christine Daily was born June 6, 1907. Harrison Henry Osburn was born January 13, 1906. Della and Harrison were married on September 15, 1925 and welcomed their only child, Lela Ruth Osburn, on February 5, 1926. Shortly after her first birthday, Della and Harrison divorced.

Della quickly remarried to Horice Benjamin Thompson who was born January 19, 1905. Together they raised Lela, who assumed her stepfather's last name, in addition to seven children of their own.

Likewise, Harrison began his second marriage to Nettie Leo Duncan Osburn who was born December 15, 1912. Harrison lost touch with his daughter Lela, but had seven children with Nettie. In 1969, Lela traveled with her husband from California to Arkansas in order to track down her father, who she had not seen for decades, for a reunion.

Extent

0.1 Linear Feet (This collection consists of 3 folders in 1 document box.)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

The Osburn family lived in Northeast Arkansas in the late 19th and early 20th century. This collection includes Osburn family genealogies, personal histories, pictures, and legal documents, in addition to birth and death certificates.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The collection was transferred to the archive by the Arkansas State University Museum in 2013.

Accruals

Further additions to the collection are not expected.

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Meredith McFadden, Jennifer Hardin, and Flora Smith.

Author
Meredith McFadden
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Archives & Special Collections at A-State Repository

Contact:
P. O. Box 2040
State University AR 72467